County lawmakers cast doubts on OFA merger

The Essex County Board of Supervisors are weighing their options to merge the Office for the Aging into the Essex County Department of Public Health following a public hearing that drew dozens on Oct. 31.

ELIZABETHTOWN — County lawmakers are considering walking back efforts to merge the aging department into public health.

The merger, long in the works, was subject to a public hearing last week. About a dozen stakeholders spoke out against the proposal that is now awaiting state approval.

County officials were also presented with 500 signatures of senior citizens who are said to be against the merger.

Mike Marnell (R-Schroon) asked if he could offer a resolution to “abolish” the measure.

“If so, I would make that resolution,” Marnell said.

James Monty (R-Lewis) said he agreed.

“I’d like to push it, but this isn’t the time,” Monty told Marnell.

Joe Giordano (I-Ticonderoga) said he met with members of the Office for the Aging Advisory Council last week to discuss their concerns on transparency.

The council said they were largely frozen out of the process. Previously, the group raised questions about projected cost savings and concerns that services would be reduced.

Critics also believe combining the departments would lead to a loss of independence at a time when services need to be enhanced to address a rapidly aging population.

Randy Preston (I-Wilmington), who has spoken in favor of the consolidation, agreed there may have been a lapse in communication.

“I’m concerned seniors were led to believe something bad was happening,” he said.

County lawmakers are resolute that services to county seniors will not be diminished during the shift.

Under the new arrangement, OFA would cease to be an independent cabinet-level department, and would be folded into one of several units overseen by public health.

Shaun Gillilland (R-Willsboro) said the arrangement will enhance services by leveraging resources at the much-larger public health department.

The grant-funded NY Connects program allows for more points of entry into the public health system for all county residents regardless of condition or need, he said.

And a cabinet-level position isn’t always the best indication of the health and strength of a county department.

“That’s just not the way we work here at the county,” Gillilland said.

The state Department of Health greenlit the merger earlier this year, and the county is waiting state OFA approval.

MANAGER REACTS

County Manager Dan Palmer lashed lawmakers for second-guessing their decision after they already approved the merger in a series of procedural votes throughout the year.

“There is a process here. Unfortunately, you don’t start the last part until you’ve completed the first part,” Palmer said. “Nothing else happens after that, if in fact, you said no.”

Palmer traced out the process, from lawmaker approval as part of last year’s budget process to the application to the state DOH, to the awaiting state OFA approval, which will authorize about $1.2 million in Medicaid funds.

“The New York State Department of Public Health reviewed plans and said absolutely, this is a great plan,” Palmer said.

The manager also noted county health officials spearheaded a number of public discussion sessions at senior meal nutrition sites ahead of the public hearing, as well as distributed 150 copies of the report to area stakeholders.

“It makes the department more efficient. It makes a better department for the seniors,” Palmer said.

NEXT STEPS

The Essex County Board of Supervisors can rescind the measure, but would require the county to file a Plan C amendment to change the plan, Palmer told lawmakers.

That would have to come 30 days after the public hearing, which was held Oct. 31.

No decisions were made at Monday’s meeting.

But lawmakers floated the idea of having informal meetings with the advisory council to smooth out perceived communication issues.